OVS Social Worker, Bronx Legal Services

Description

Bronx Legal Services seeks a full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) to assist crime victims and their families. The social worker will work within the Bronx Crime Victims Assistance Program, funded by the New York State Office of Victim Services. They will provide holistic support services as part of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, paralegals, and Master level social workers. This position will center assistance to youth represented within our Education Law Unit.

About Bronx Legal Services

Bronx Legal Services, the Bronx office of Legal Services NYC, fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. Bronx Legal Services advises and represents Bronx residents in family, immigration, housing, foreclosure, education, public benefits, disability, unemployment, consumer law, tax, and community economic development matters. Legal Services NYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts; our DEI committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships amongst staff and provide space for staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our advocacy work.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with attorneys and other advocates as part of a legal team to address the educational needs of youth who have experienced crime.
• Provide information about Crime Victims' Assistance and aid clients in applying for benefits and compensation through the Office of Victims Services
• Client Counseling & Education: utilize clinical and psycho-educational skills to provide social work support to clients and caregivers throughout legal process.
• Draft letters of support and supportive affidavits on behalf of clients
• Advocacy: attend IEP, CSE, CPSE, school, and resolution meetings as part of the advocacy team for the client to assist in obtaining appropriate educational services and supports
• Factual & Expert Witness Testimony: provide factual/expert witness testimony as needed for administrative hearings on behalf of clients.
• Psychosocial Assessments: to assist clients in accessing necessary services and supports, and for the purpose of determining litigation options.
• School Site Visits and Information Gathering: visit education programs and gather information to assist in determining appropriateness in meeting student’s individualized educational needs.
• Document review: utilize clinical skills in analyzing IEP’s, evaluations, teacher reports, report cards etc. and share feedback, suggestions, recommendations with fellow legal team members.
• Provide referrals and linkage to culturally appropriate services to address immediate client needs.
• Community Education & Outreach: Develop and provide community education presentations, outreach, and interdisciplinary related trainings.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work degree; LMSW required. If a candidate is not currently licensed, they must take the qualifying exam as soon as is feasible upon hire.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Strong ability to work both independently and as part of a team is required.
• Experience assisting immigrant communities, low-income communities of color, and clients who are experiencing challenges related to poverty, disability, and other systemically marginalizing factors is preferred.
• Experience in providing client centered advocacy on behalf of people who have experienced trauma is strongly preferred.
• Fluency or proficiency in a language other than English that we commonly serve is preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of special education services and dept. of education systems is a bonus, but not required.

How to Apply

Competitive benefits package including hybrid remote work policy, excellent medical, pre-tax flexible benefits and retirement plans along with generous annual (23-28 days) and sick leave (18 days). Clinical supervision and the ability to earn hours toward social work clinical credential provided.

Bronx Legal Services acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description’s qualifications. We understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area; we especially encourage applicants who are impacted by LSNYC’s work to submit their application anyway.

To apply for the position, send your resume, cover letter, recent writing sample, and names of three (3) professional references to Assistant to Project Director. All applications should be submitted via e-mail to Sylvia Figueroa sfigueroa@lsnyc.org

The subject line should read: “OVS Social Worker.”

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please, no telephone calls and no mailed applications.

Bronx Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people over the age of forty are all welcome and encouraged to apply.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Job#82_2024; Posted: 09.2024

Salary Range (Based on years’ experience):

• 1-10 years: $62,805 -$85,108
• 11-20 years: $87,256 - $104,721
• 21+ years: $109,961 - $120,073